Netflix’s New Stranger Things Spinoff Makes Eleven’s Ending Even Worse

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A new animated series, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, premiered on Netflix on April 23rd. It’s a spin-off of the popular Stranger Things show, taking place between seasons 2 and 3. The story follows the main characters we know and love, and introduces a new character named Nikki. While it adds to the existing Stranger Things story, it can also be enjoyed as a separate adventure. This release came several months after the final episodes of Stranger Things were available on New Year’s Eve.

This new show, connected to Stranger Things, introduces a different kind of monster – one that’s likely from the same otherworldly place, but isn’t the Mind Flayer. While it tells its own story, it’s hard to view this series separately from the original Stranger Things, especially considering the divisive ending and the emotional resolution of Eleven’s arc.

The Stranger Things Finale Was Controversial For A Reason

As a big fan of Stranger Things, I know a lot of us really loved how things wrapped up for everyone, especially Eleven – it felt genuinely beautiful for some. But honestly, the finale sparked huge controversy. There was so much negative reaction that this wild theory started spreading online, called ‘Conformity Gate’. Basically, people thought the ending was so awful it had to be a fake, and a proper, secret finale was still coming! It turned out that wasn’t true, of course, but it really highlights just how divisive the ending was. It’s rare to see a fanbase react so strongly, and it was definitely a talking point!

Honestly, as a fan, I was pretty disappointed with how things wrapped up. There were a lot of issues – how they treated the ‘Byler’ pairing, the lack of a real Demogorgon showdown – but what bothered me most was Eleven’s fate. It’s not explicitly stated what happened to her, but it basically comes down to this: either she sacrificed herself when the Upside Down collapsed, or she survived but is completely cut off from everyone she loves. Either way, it’s a really sad outcome, and it left me feeling pretty down.

Many fans were especially upset by the Duffer Brothers’ explanation that a certain event represented the end of the kids’ childhood. They felt it unfairly treated Eleven, given her history of being dehumanized and exploited throughout her life. The situation became even more controversial when the behind-the-scenes documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, revealed that Millie Bobby Brown filmed her final scenes in isolation, while the rest of the cast and crew were able to celebrate together on set. This sparked significant criticism from viewers.

Tales From ’85 Makes This Ending So Much Worse

The ending of Stranger Things was already debated by fans, but Tales From ’85 makes it even harder to watch. Seeing Eleven enjoying time with her new friends is especially sad knowing she’ll likely lose them one way or another. What really stings is that Eleven’s growth feels wasted. In Tales From ’85, she confronts Mike about him constantly trying to control her and not respecting her wishes, showing a clear desire for independence.

Although it’s positive that Eleven is exploring who she is, it’s a bit disappointing for a couple of reasons. The original Stranger Things series didn’t really focus on this kind of self-discovery for her, despite Max encouraging her to find her own identity. Even more frustratingly, Eleven doesn’t ultimately feel like an independent person. Her only real choice leads to either her death or permanent separation from those she cares about. The ending also focuses heavily on her relationship with Mike, rather than on her developing a sense of self.

Did Stranger Things Ruin Its Own Chance At Spinoffs?

The problems with Tales From ’85 make you wonder if Netflix has hurt its chances of creating successful Stranger Things spinoffs. The original show’s ending was divisive and, for some characters like Eleven, very sad, which makes it difficult to get invested in new stories set in that world. This is especially true when the new show directly involves Eleven herself.

Many fans are now finding it hard to rewatch the show, knowing the ending and being disappointed by it – or simply finding it too upsetting. This suggests the finale might have actually harmed the entire series’ legacy.

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2026-04-24 20:41